Ready Or Not - Week 2: Stand Firm And You Will Have Life

We’re a couple of weeks from Advent (still Pentecost, people)

We are currently working through a short sermon series that will take us into Advent, which is entitled "Ready or Not."  This three-week series will help us prepare our hearts for Advent

The simple idea behind this series is that Christ is always arriving in unexpected ways.  We will always be surprised by Christ, but if our hearts are open, we can glimpse what we can do “in the meantime.”  

Today, we are going to hear some words of Jesus that sound like the worst pep talk in the history of pep talks.  Until it doesn’t.  

But first, let's discuss the end of the world for a moment.  

“It’s The End of The World!” (Or Is It?)  Sometimes it feels like it, doesn't it?  

There’s no shortage of end-of-the-world predictions. It seems that in every age some seem to find "evidence" in Scripture to back up their apocalyptic notions.  

People have been predicting the end of the world for a very long time.  But according to historians, the 20th and 21st centuries have produced the most predictions.  

Why do we do this?  What’s behind it?  

Escapism? Distraction? Romanticism? 

Or a longing for something permanent in an impermanent world?  

"According to psychologists, possible explanations for why people believe in modern apocalyptic predictions include: mentally reducing the actual danger in the world to a single and definable source; an innate human fascination with fear; personality traits of paranoia and powerlessness; and a modern romanticism related to end-times, resulting from its portrayal in contemporary fiction." - Psychology Today 

What do we need to hear in these moments to increase our trust?

You'd think that a pep talk from Jesus himself would do the trick, but in the passage that we are going to be reading today, Jesus starts off by telling his followers that things zre going to get worse before they get better. 

And that if his followers are going to find their way through it, they need to stand firm, and resist the temptation to either despair or give in to the seductive nature of the kingdoms of this world.  

BEING READY FOR GOD’S KINGDOMS MEANS STANDING FIRM AGAINST ALL OTHERS.  

Luke 21:5-19

Some of his followers began to point out to him the beauty of the great lodge with its handsomely carved logs, its large stones, and ceremonial gifts. A look of sadness came over the face of Creator Sets Free (Jesus).  

• A little history on Herod’s Temple & what the disciples meant. 

"Take a good long look," he said, "for in the days ahead, all of this will fall to the ground.  Not one log or stone will be left standing against another." They looked at him with terrified faces.  

• Jesus interjects with one of his buzzkill moments—“Not one stone…” 
• Written after the destruction of the Temple, giving meaning to the event. 

"Wisdomkeeper, when will this happen?" they asked, "What will be the sign?" 

"Make sure no one leads you down the wrong path," he warned them, "for many will falsely represent me and say, 'I am the Chosen One, follow me, there is no time left!' Do not follow after them.  

When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not fear, for those things will come first--but the end is not yet.  Tribal wars will break out, and nations will war against nations.  There will be great earthquakes, food will be scarce, sickness will spread everywhere, and bad signs will appear in the sky.  

• Apocalyptic statements offer a broad view, not predictive in nature.  

Before all of this happens, you will be betrayed by your own people.  They will hunt you down, drag you into the gathering houses, and put you in jail.  Then they will hand you over to the government and officials of the People of Iron (Romans).  All of this they will do to you because of me and my name.  

But remember, this will be your chance to represent me and tell them the good story.  Do not worry about what to say ahead of time to defend yourselves, for I will give you the mouth of a wisdom keeper, and no enemy will be able to answer you or prove you wrong.  

You will be betrayed by your own family members and friends.  They will even have some of you killed.  they will all hate you because you are representing me and my teachings.  But none of these things can truly harm you, so you must stand up strong and never give up trusting in me, for my life inside you will help you walk with firm steps."

• After all the awful stuff, Jesus provides a word of hope to his hearers.  

• The kingdoms of this world will rise and fall, life is unpredictable, but no matter what, stand firm, be faithful, and trust in God.  

What Do We Need To Know?

• Scripture teaches us about the cyclical nature of history (God’s purposes)
• God’s “Rescue Timer” is always at 11:59 (Revelation)
• Endurance and trust lead us to life, not despair or capitulation.  

BEING READY FOR GOD’S KINGDOMS MEANS STANDING FIRM AGAINST ALL OTHERS.